Description
If you are a prospective carer going through the assessment process, there is likely to be lots of appointments with your assessing social worker (which may be virtual) and training to do.
In the midst of this busy time you will be aware that you are heading towards a conclusion of the assessment process and may have received, or awaiting, a date to attend Fostering Panel. This is a date that often brings mixed emotions; for some excitement and perhaps even a feeling of relief to be concluding a lengthy assessment process. However, for many it can bring anxiety perhaps reminding applicants of poor interview experiences or fear of meetings/public speaking.
So we’ve provided our top tips! Make sure you have read and understood the assessment report and been given sufficient time to do this. Proofread it for any errors before you sign it. If any content is unclear, seek clarification before signing it as well. If you do not agree with some content or any of the recommendations made, there is usually a space to indicate this on the report. If there is disagreement you may wish to consider if you want to submit any additional written material or evidence that challenges the information within the report. Seek clarity on the timeframe for doing this as the reports are forwarded to panel members at least 5 working days before the Fostering Panel meeting (National Minimum Standard 14.3)
Confirm whether the meeting will require you to attend in person, via a virtual process (such as Teams or Zoom), or over the telephone. Make sure that any communication needs are understood and support is in place. For example, check that an interpreter is available if one is required.
If the meeting is in person, take note of the venue (as it may not be held at the fostering service) and time to plan your journey and arrange childcare or other commitments. Aim to arrive a little earlier than the slot to allow time for traffic, parking, or public transport. If you are delayed, let your assessing social worker know (have their contact details with you). If the meeting is virtual and you are unfamiliar with this format, ask the assessing social worker to set up a practice session to familiarise yourself. Equally, you could practice with family or friends.
If you are attending as part of a couple, discuss beforehand how you want to communicate at the meeting. For example, will one of you be stronger at taking the lead in response to any question? Will this be accompanied by your partner adding comments? Or do you wish to take it in turns answering the questions? Whatever you decide, ensure that you both contribute actively to the meeting and avoid interrupting or speaking over one another.
If you are attending as a single carer, it may be helpful to learn more about the accompanying person policy as it’s possible to take someone with you for support (National Minimum Standard 14.5). It is also helpful to clarify whether they will be allowed to speak during the meeting (if not, perhaps they can write some key points beforehand with you and remind you of them as the meeting progresses). Sometimes just a smile or encouraging nod from a friend can give confidence, so let them know what you feel may help you. It may be useful to have water available, in case you get a dry throat, and tissues as the meetings can sometimes evoke unpredictable emotions.
Taking time to understand the role of the Foster Care Panel and the roles of panel members, some of whom will be independent of foster care services and may be from other areas such as education, health or carers themselves, may also help. Many Fostering Panels produce a panel booklet that includes a photograph and information about individual members that can help ease anxieties. Panel members will usually introduce themselves on the day and try to put you at ease. It may be helpful to take an introduction book to the meeting about your household. This could be shared with any future child to be placed with you. Briefly sharing this can help to “set the scene”.
If you are a Regulation 24 kinship/connected person carer with a child already placed, it may be appropriate to share pictures of the child in your home with family members, or taking part in family activities. Talk to the assessing social worker about this in advance to see if this is allowed – it may be a real ice breaker and help to make you feel more confident. Try to establish a bit of eye contact with the Panel Chair and other members if you can. Smiling is also something that you want to do, as it will help ease any nerves!
Panel will want to be assured that the assessment has covered all the statutory requirements in place for foster caring, which may result in questions to the assessing worker or to the prospective carer(s). There may be gaps or events referred to in the assessment that the panel wish to explore further. Try to focus your answers and don’t be afraid to ask for a question again if you lose your thread of thought or are concerned if you haven’t fully answered a query. If your assessment refers to sensitive or difficult information, try to be prepared for any questions by discussing this beforehand with the assessor and take your time.
There may be questions such as why you want to foster, how you feel about continued training, and how you work with others. Other examples may include questions about caring for children from different backgrounds, children with additional needs, and your understanding of safeguarding. Therefore, it may be helpful to discuss these areas in advance with your assessing social worker.
You may be asked to give feedback on your experience of the assessment or if you have any questions. Be honest, but if you do have a list of concerns, remember that Panel’s role is not to investigate complaints. Nonetheless, you may wish to give a short overview and you can request a copy of the complaint procedure from the fostering service.
Panel can make recommendations about suitability to foster and terms of approval, but it will be the Agency Decision Maker who will make the decision within 7 working days of receiving the minutes (NMS 14.9). Applicants will receive this decision (NMS 14.10) orally (within 2 working days) and in writing (within 5 working days). Occasionally, a Panel or Agency Decision Maker may decide to recommend deferring an item to return to Panel within an agreed timescale. This can feel very disappointing for a prospective carer but it should not necessarily be interpreted as a negative perception of the prospective carer(s). It may be an oversight in relation to statutory checks that is outstanding, or a gap in the information presented that needs to be addressed. Ask your assessing social worker for clarity on this if you are unsure.
If you disagree with a decision from the Agency Decision Maker about your suitability to foster or your terms of approval, you may appeal and the letter will give you details of how to do this. Applicants can choose to appeal either to the fostering service via Panel or (dependent on the circumstances) opt to appeal via the Independent Review Mechanism (Fostering Services (England) Regulations 27(6) and 27(7). However, the option to appeal expires 28 days after the date on the letter.
Fosterline provide friendly, impartial, and confidential support to any prospective and approved carer in England. If you have a query about Fostering Panels or any other fostering matter then please contact us on 0800 040 7675 or visit further advice on our website.
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